If you’re not a big darts fan, you might not realize that one of the most amazing moments in the history of professional darts just went down and fans are losing their minds.
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen and England’s Michael Smith are currently battling it out in the PDC World Darts Championship final to determine the best thrower in the world.
If you’re not familiar with how to officially play, every game in which both players throw a round of darts is called a leg. And the world just witnessed one of the best legs in the history of the game.
In one game of the finals, both players attempted to hit the perfect leg of nine darts — eight triples then a finish on a double, otherwise known as a ‘nine-darter.’ Smith ended up doing it, an extremely rare feat, and he did so moments after van Gerwen just barely missed doing it as well.
THE BEST LEG OF ALL TIME! 🤯🔥
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN MISSES D12 FOR A NINE-DARTER, AND THEN SMITH PINS A PERFECT LEG HIMSELF!
ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS YOU'LL EVER SEE IN SPORT. pic.twitter.com/WyKWFcxq5V
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2023
Per Fox Sports, it was just the second nine-darter in world championship final history. Had van Gerwen not missed the double 12 right beforehand, it would have been an unprecedented leg in professional darts.
Even though he barely missed, the quality of the play had fans in London’s Alexandra Palace and those watching at home losing their minds over the amazing display of talent.
“Michael Smith hitting a nine-darter, after Michael van Gerwen missed D12 for his own nine-darter, is one of the best sequences of sport you will ever see,” said sports writer Amos Murphy.
Michael Smith hitting a nine-darter, after Michael van Gerwen missed D12 for his own nine-darter, is one of the best sequences of sport you will ever see.
— Amos Murphy (@AmosMurphy_) January 3, 2023
“Michael Smith just threw a nine darter after MVG missed double 12 for his 9 darter! Two to them were on it in the one leg. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Gavin O’Connor.
Michael Smith just threw a nine darter after MVG missed double 12 for his 9 darter! Two to them were on it in the one leg. I’ve never seen anything like it. #9darter #lovethedarts
— Gavin O'Connor (@gavinoconnor) January 3, 2023
“Reminder that THIS IS IN THE FINAL,” added College Crosse’s Ryan McDonnell.
reminder that THIS IS IN THE FINAL https://t.co/znLEAIY3U6
— Ryan McDonnell (@RyanMcD29) January 3, 2023